UK Anti-Slavery Commissioner Demands Action on Adult Service Websites
Eleanor Lyons, the UK anti-slavery commissioner, has issued a stark call to action concerning websites used to advertise sex workers, many of whom are victims of trafficking and exploitation. Her latest report highlights critical failures in regulation and enforcement, urging immediate government intervention.
Alarming Findings from the Report
Researchers examined 12 adult service sites, which collectively hosted 63,000 listings in January and attracted 41.7 million visits. Using the Sexual Trafficking Identification Matrix, a tool also employed by police, only 8% of listings showed no warning signs. Indicators included repeated phone numbers across multiple ads and phrases like "new to the area," suggesting potential exploitation.
The report identifies significant gaps in the law, Ofcom's approach, and policing efforts. Referrals for potential victims of sexual exploitation have surged by 78% between 2020 and 2025, rising from 1,618 to 2,887 women and girls annually. Men and boys are more commonly referred for labour or criminal exploitation, such as "county lines" operations.
Qualitative Insights and Diverse Opinions
Based on 12 in-depth interviews, data analysis, and a law review, the report does not claim to represent all sex workers' views. It acknowledges a diversity of opinions among survivors regarding adult service websites. Some advocate for banning these sites as virtual brothels, while others prefer stricter regulation to mitigate harm.
However, a clear disparity exists between online and offline activities. Online sex advertising operates in a "vast digital ecosystem" that allows features like third-party control of profiles, bookings, and earnings, with buyer anonymity. Tick-box menus for sex acts and first-person accounts reveal how these tools erode boundaries and normalise violence.
Urgent Recommendations and Government Inaction
The report urges politicians and regulators to look beyond surface indicators of choice, noting how autonomy can slip away through manipulation. Livestreamed sexual content is highlighted as a gateway to in-person sex work, serving as a wake-up call.
Sensible recommendations include:
- Improved support services for survivors
- A public consultation on a potential ban
- Robust age assurance to protect children
Despite Ofcom fining pornography businesses, it has launched no investigations into adult service websites. Published guidance often minimises website responsibilities and ignores trafficking risks.
Historical Context and Ongoing Concerns
This is not the first alarm raised; the National Crime Agency has warned that such websites enable organised crime. An all-party group of MPs, chaired by Labour's Dame Diana Johnson, recommended better survivor support five years ago. Yet, the government appears passive, proposing cuts to national funding for modern slavery policing from next month, despite pledging to halve violence against women and girls.
Victims deserve better, and ministers must act decisively to address this emerging threat.
